Rotary drier



4 Sheets-Sheet 1 TTORNEYS NOV. 30, C Oi LAVETT' I ROTARY DRIER Filed oct. 24, 19's@ NOV. 30, 1937. Q 0; LAVETT 2,100,444

ROTARY DRIER 4 Smets-sheet 2 Filed OCb. 24, 1956 4 lNVENToR ATTORNEYS C. O. LAV ETT Nov. 30, 1937.

ROTARY DRIER Filed Oct. 24, 1936 4-SheetS-Sheet 5 mvENToR ATTORNEYS T01 Patented Nov. 30, 1937 UNITE STATES ROTARY DRIER Charles 0. Lavett, Buialo,A N. Y., assigner to Buffalo Foundry .SeV Machine Co., Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 24, 1936, Serial No. 107,463

7 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to a rotary drier and more particularly to a tubular ldrier comprising a cylindrical rotary shell arranged on an 1nclined axis and having an inlet through the center of its upper end head for the be dried and an outlet at its lower end and containing a series of pipes arranged in an annular from the drying materials are exhausted through one end head of the shell and the steam is introduced and the condensate withdrawn through the opposite end head of the shell. In tubular rotary driers as heretofore constructed the steam entering through the lower end head was immediately ldistributed to the various tubes so that-the wise counter-current to the steam iiow. In such driers air and other non-condensible gases would vented became air-bound. g

I'he present invention proposes to provide such a tubular drier in which the steam is admitted through and condensate and air and noncondensible gases removed from the lower end head and in which the steam is In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal fragmentary section oi one form of tubular rotary drier embodying my invention.

Fig. V2 is an end elevation thereof.

Fig. 5.

`body 'of the drier.

and inexpensive in construction and will Fig. 3 is a vertical section, taken on line 3 3,

Fig. 1. Y

Fig. 4 is a fragmentaryvertical section, taken on line 4 4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view modified form of similar Fig; 1 my invention..

Figs. 6 and '7 are vertical crossY sections, taken along the correspondingly' numbered lines on Fig. k8 is an enlargedfragmentary view similar to Fig. 5 and charge. l

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the spiral condensate heads used to discharge the condensate.

In the form of a cylindrical shell 5 which is provided in any suithaving a sliding fit on the the inner face ofva circula'rtube sheet ll and an i upper manifold or header I2 is secured outer side of the circular tube sheet Il.

The body is adapted axis and for this purpose a pair of annular tracks I5 and I6 are secured to the outside of the cylinv to the .that its axis isln'ciined, the header l2 being-higher than the header 9 and the body is adapted to be continuously rotated by any suitable form of drive (not shown). header l2 are formed to pro-vide a large central showing a illustrating the condensate .dis-` with flangesri. and 'Ifthe flange. IY

shell 5;"The iiange 6 is secured to the circular tube sheet 8 to the op-f The upper tube sheet I I and' axial opening 20 into which the open end 2| of Y a non-rotating casing 22 extends. VIn the lower part of thecasing 22 a feed screw 23 is journaled, this screw conducting thematerials from a materials inlet opening into the interior of the rotary openings 26 are collected in an annular trough 21 which embraces the cylindrical shell 5 and is formed at its lower end with an outlet 28 for the dried materials. The trough 21 extends comi pletely around the cylindrical shell 5j to minimize the amount of air drawn into the drier through the openings 26 by the suction applied to the opening 25 by a stack (not shown) or by other means for removing the vapors, and also to confine any dust rising from the materials.

An inner annular row of tubes 30 and an outer annular row of tubes 3| extend between the tube sheets 8 and I I. The sliding fit between the shell 5 and flange 1 per 'ts expansion and contraction of the tubes 30 and 3l.

Steam is supplied to the tubes and headers from a stationary steam pipe 33 which connects with a fitting 34, this fitting 34 being coaxial with the body of the drier and conducting the steam to a co-axial tube 35 which is welded to the fitting 34 or secured thereto in any suitable manner. At its opposite end the tube 35 is joui'- naled in a distributing head 316 which is preferably bolted to the tube sheet 8 and has a chamber 31 therein into which the steam is discharged. This steam is conducted by two pipes 38 to a pair of tubes 39 each of which extends through the center of two of the outer series of heating tubes 3|. For this purpose a pair cf bosses 49 are formed in the header 9 and the pipes 38 and tubes 39 are secured therein so that the steam from the pipes 38 is Vled directly into the tubesv 39 which conducts the steam directly to the opposite header I2 in which the steam is distributed toV all of the tubes 38 and 3l, through which the steam flows concurrent with the materials being dried and sweeps along the condensate and air or other non-condensible gases back tothe header 9. The only ow of steam countercurrent to the materials is in the tubes 39 which are, of course, jacketed by the two tubes 3l in which they are housed. Y

The interior of the header 9 is divided into three spaces by radial partitions 45, each of which is arranged to one side of a pocket 46 provided in the header, as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. As the body of the drier rotates in the direction of the arrows, Figs. 2 vand 3, the condensate collecting in the header 9 is lifted by the rising partition 45 and dropped into the corresponding pocket 46. Each of these pockets is provided with an outlet opening 41 which conducts the condensate to a corresponding outlet elbow 48, these outlet elbows 48 discharging into a cylindrical manifold 49 which is secured to the inner face oi the tube sheet 8 and arranged coaxial therewith. Journaled in the condensate manifold 49 is a cylindrical hollow hub 59 having an inlet opening 5I in its top. The condensate collecting in the manifold 49 is lifted by radial partitions 52 from the interior of this manifold and discharged into the opening 5l, as best illustrated in Fig. 3. To the hub 58 is secured a condensate outlet line 55 which extends through the steam inlet tube 35 and fitting 34 and out through a plug 59 in the end of the fitting 34, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The air or other non-condensible gasescollecting in the header 9 passes out through the condensate discharge just described thereby rendering unnecessary special venting of the drier to remove the air or non-condensible gases.

The escape of steam between the stationary steam inlet tube 35 and the distributing head 35 is prevented by a gland or stufling box 51 and to this distributing head 36 is secured a cage 58 which is formed to provide a thrust bearing for a collar 59 welded to the steam pipe 35 so as to take the thrust of the steam pressure within the chamber 31. f

The tubes 38 and 3l and pipes 39 are relatively long and are thereby preferably supported at one or more points to prevent them from being bent or distorted in use. l For this purpose a U-bolt 69 having its legs secured to the cylindrical shell 5 embraces each corresponding pair of tubes 39 and 3i and a spacing block 5i is provided between each pair of pipes 39 and 3i and another spacing block 62 provided between each pipe 3i and the inside of the cylindrical shell 5. Similarly, legs or lugs 33 are preferably interposed between each of the pipes 39 and the inside of the tubes 3l through which they pass so as to prevent whipping of the pipes 39.

Steam entering through the steam pipes 33 and 35 is distributed in the chamber 31 to the two pipes 38 which conduct it directly to the steam pipes 39 which discharge the steam into the header l2 at the materials inlet end of the. drier. In this header the steam is distributed to the two series of tubes 38 and 3! and flows back to the header 9 concurrent with the materials and sweeping the condensate and air or non-condensible gases along with it. In the header 9 the condensate is picked up by the partitions 45 and discharged into the elbows 48 and manifold 49 in which it is again picked up by the partitions 52 and discharged into the hub 53 and condensate outlet line 55. 'Ifne air and other non-condensiblegases also vent through the condensate outlet.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 5-7, the cylindrical shell 'iii has flanged end rings 1I and 12 at its opposite ends, the flanged end ring 1| securing the shell to a header indicated generally at 13 and the. flanged end ring 12 securing the shell to an annular end plate or head 14.

The shell is rotatably supported and for this purpose a pair of spaced annular tracks 15 and 16 are secured to the outside of the cylindrical shell and supported on rollers 11 mounted on a base 18. The shell is supported on an inclined axis, the plate 14 being higher than the head 13 and the shell is continuously rotated by means of a large ring gear 19 secured to the track 155 and driven by a pinion on a shaft 8| which is journaled in suitable bearings mounted on the base 18. The shaft 8i can be turned in any suitable manner.

The plate or end head 14 is formed to provide a large central opening 92 through which the materials to be dried are introduced into the shell by means of a screw feeder having an outlet for the vapors generated by the drying process. This feeder is identical with that shown in connection with the drier illustrated in Figs. 1-4 and the same reference numerals have therefore been applied thereto. As in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 4, the opposite end of the shell 18 is provided with an annular row of outlet openings 83 through which the dried materials dropafter traversing the length of the shell. The material so discharged through the openings 83 is collected in an annular trough 85. which embraces the shell 1D and is formed at its lower end with an outlet 85 for the dried materials. The trough 84 extends completely around the shell 19.

The header 13 is of annular form and is formed to provide an annular exhaust or outlet chamber 86 having a tube sheet 81 and an annular steam inlet chamber 88, the tube sheet 89 of which also forms one wall of the exhaust or outlet chamber 86. The header 13 is also formed to provide a hub 98 which is connected with the outer annular portion of the header by a plurality of hollow spokes 9|. These spokes form the conduits forA conducting the steam to the steam inlet `Vchamber '88 and removing'the condensate-"from V dicated generally at |66,

the-exhaust'chamberSt` and forthis purposeithe vtube Asheet 89 separating the chamber 85 from the chamber `88 is continued to form a partition 92extending along each spoke vandac'rossthe interior of thehub -`9i! thereby to provide a steam inlet chamber 93 and a condensate outletchamber94 in thelhub 90 and a steam passage "9S-and a condensate discharge passage 96 alongeach spoke 9|.

Steam is supplied 'to the steam chamber 93 and thence through the radiating'passagesB to the annular steam chamber 88`from a stationary steam pipe 97 which connects with a iitting 98, this fitting 98 being coaxial with the shell of the drier and conducting the steam to a coaxial tube V99 which is Welded to the tting 98'and journaled in ahead 4Illl which is suitably secured yto the hub 99, this steam tube 99 discharging into the steam inlet chamber 93.

lA plurality of heating tubes 'IM are secured at one end to the tube sheet 81, thsetubes being preferably provided in concentric Vannular rows. These tubes |0| open into'the annular "outiet'or exhaust chamber 86, the other end of each tube being closed or sealed, as indicated at |92 and being supported in the annular plate or head 74, as best shown in Figy. These heating tubes |0| therefore extend the full length ofthe 'shell 1|) and to prevent the tubes from beingb'e'nt or distorted While in use, they are preferably supported at one or more points. For this purpose a U-bolt |93 having its legs secured to the shell 1B embraces each -corresponding pair of tubes of Y the inner and cuter concentric rows and spacing blocks are provided between the tubes of leach pair and between each outer tube andthe shell 1|).

These heating tubes IUI are supplied with steam attheir closed ends so that the flow -of steam and materials is concurrent. For this purpose a steam supply pipe |94 is housed within each tube and has an open end discharging against the seal |92 at its end. The other ends of the steam supply pipes |04 connect With the tube sheet 89 and open into the steam Ysupply chamber 88.

In order to expel the condensaterfrom the annular return or condensate chamber V86, `radial partitions |05 extend across this chamber and lead to the passages 95 in the spokes, these `partitions being disposed on a level with the bottom of the passages 96 on the rising side of the shell so that any accumulated condensate. is dumped into the passages 9S as they successively rise above the horizontal and flows down to the chamber 94.

The condensate so discharged into the chamber 94 ispicked up by a novel spiral condensate discharge head forming a feature of my invention. This spiral condensate discharge head, in-

is best illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 and preferably consists of a casting including a circular end plate |97 from which a plurality of spiral vanes |03 project laterally, these vanes extending parallel With the axis of the head. rI'he end plate is provided with a central hole |09. The spiral head |96 fits i-nto the chamber 94 with its end plate against the partition 92, and discharges condensate into the open end of an axial condensate discharge pipev H9 which extends through the partition 92 and also through the hole |09. This condensate Vdischarge pipe extends through the steam supply pipe 99 and fitting 98. It will be seen that as the spiral ldumped vinto the hub chamber 94 bythe-spokes 19| Vispiclfred up by the spiral vanes |98 and lifted `'to the condensate discharge pipe ||J into Awhich it is dumped.

steam inlet chamber 93.

In this chamber is disposed a 'spiral"condensaten` y`dis'chargehead, indicated generally at H2. This `head is essentially the saine as the condensate discharge head '|06 having an end plate v||3 arranged againstthe part1tionf92 and'spiral vanes thesteam is distributedthrough the passages 95 of the three spokes 9| to the annular header space 88 from' epekes 9| end in the hub the condensate is picked up by the spiral vanes |08 and discharged into the condensate outlet tube ||0. Any condensate" forming prior to the discharge of the steam into the heenng tubes loll news back te the header from-the steam supply. v

It is therefore apparent thatA in bot-h 4forms of he 1nvention there Ais no tendency for air or -f' of tubes in said shell connecting said header'srjs'aid series of tubes being Yspa`.ce'd from thel 'axis of said shell so as to provide a relatively large, Y`uiobstructed central passage through said shell, a steam pipe connected at one end to one of said headers and extending through the. center of one of said tubes to the opposite header to discharge steam therein for distribution to said tubes, an external steam conduit extending radially outward from the axis of said shell and supplying steam to said steam pipe, means for removing the condensate from the header having .said steam pipe connection whereby the flow of steam, condensate and non-condensible gases through said tubes is concurrent and means for admitting the materials to be dried into said shell and removing the dried materials therefrom.

2. A tubular rotary drier, comprising a rotary shell having end heads each of which is formed to provide an annular header, an annular series of tubes in said shell connecting said headers, said series of tubes being spaced from the axis of said shell so as to provide a relatively large, unobstructed central passage through said shell, a steam pipe arranged parallel with the axis of said shell and extending through the opposite walls of one of said headers and extending through the center of one of said tubes to the opposite header to discharge steam therein for distribution to said tubes, an external steam conduit extending radially outward from the axis of said shell and supplying steam to said steam pipeQmeans for introducing the materials to be dried through the head formingV said steam distribution header, means for removing the dried materials from the end of said shell opposite the head through which the materials are introduced whereby the flow of materials and the flow of steam, condensate and non-condensible gases'through said tubes is concurrent and means for removing the condensate from thevheader having said steam pipe connection.

' 3. A tubular rotary drier, comprising a shell rotating about an axis inclined relative to the horizontal, end heads at each end of said shell and each formed to provide an annular header, an annular series of tubes in said shell and connecting said headers, said series of tubes being spaced from the axis of said shell so as to provi-de a relatively large, unobstructed central passage through said shell, means for introducing the materials to be dried and discharging the vapors generated during drying through an opening in the upper end head, said shell having a discharge opening at its lowerend for discharging the dried rnaterials therefrom, a hollow head forming a steam chamber secured to said lower end head, a steam conduit coaxial with said shell and supplying steam to said chamber, an external steam pipe leading radially from said chamber to a point near said lower header and thence parallel with the axis of the shell through the opposite walls of the lower header and through one of said tubes to the interior of the upper header for discharging steam therein for distribution to said tubes, the ilow of materials through said shell and the iiow of steam, condensate and non-condensible gases through said tubes being thereby concurrent, a second, hollow head carried by said lower end head and forming a condensate chamber, means for -discharging the condensate from said lower header into said condensate chamber and a condensate outlet conduit coaxial with said shell and draining said condensate chamber.

4. A tubular rotary drier, comprising a shell rotating about an axis inclined relative to the horizontal, end heads at each end of said shell and each formed to provide an annular header and a tube sheet, a plurality of tubes in said shell and connecting said tube sheets, means for introducing the materials to be dried and discharging the vapors generated during drying through an opening in the upper end head, said shell having r. 5

a discharge opening at its lower end for discharging the dried materials therefrom, a hollow head secured centrally to the outside face of said lower tube sheet and forming a steam chamber, a stationary steam supply pipe coaxial with said shell and journaled in said hollow head and supplying steam to said steam chamber, a steam pipe leading from said chamber and extending through the adjacent header and through one of the tubes to the interior of the upper header for discharg-.

ing steam therein for distribution to said tubes, the iiow of materials through said shell and the iiow of steam, condensate and non-condensible gases through said tubes being thereby concurrent, a second hollow head secured centrally to?? the inside face of the lower tube sheet an-d forming a condensate chamber, a condensate pipe connecting said lower header and said second hollow head, a partition in said lower header for discharging the condensate into said condensate:`A

pipe, a stationary condensate discharge pipe coaxial with said shell and journalled in said second hollow head and a partition in said condensate chamber for discharging the condensate into said condensate discharge pipe.

5. A rotary drier comprising a rotaryV end head rotating about a generally horizontal axis and formed to provide an annular header and a tube sheet, a plurality of tubes extending outwardly from said tube sheet, means for admitting steam to said tubes and means for removing the condensate from said header, comprising a hollow1 head rotating with said header and arranged coaxially therewith and forming a condensate chamber, a condensate pipe connecting said header with said hollow head, a partition in said header for discharging the condensate into said coaxial with said shell and journaled in said hollow head and a partition in said condensate chamber for discharging the condensate into said condensate discharge pipe.

6. A rotary drier comprising a rotary end head rotating about a generally horizontal axis and formed to provide an annular header and a tube sheet, a plurality of tubes extending outwardly from said tube sheet parallel with the axis of said end head, means for admitting steam to the ends of said tubes remote from said tube sheet and means for removing the condensate from said header, comprising a hollow head secured centrally to said tube sheet and forming a condensate chamber, a condensate pipe connecting said header with said hollow head, a partition in said header for discharging the condensate into said condensate pipe, a stationary condensate pipe coaxial with said shell and journaled in said hollow head and a partition in said condensate chamber for discharging the condensate into said condensate discharge pipe.

'7. A tubular rotary drier, comprising a shell rotating about a generally horizontal axis, an end head at one end of said shell and formed to provide an annular header and a tube sheet, a plurality of tubes in said shell connecting with said tube sheet, a hollow head secured centrally to the outside face of said tube sheet and forming a steam chamber, a stationary steam supply pipe coaxial with said shell and journaled in said hollow head and supplying steam to said steam chamber, means for conducting the steam from necting said header and said second hollow head, said chamber to the ends of said tubes remote a partition in said header for discharging the from said tube sheet, means for admitting the condensate into said condensate pipe, a'stationary materials to be dried to said shell at the endV condensate discharge pipe coaxial With said shell 5 remote from said endV head whereby the ow of and journaled in said second hollow head and a 5 materials through said shell is concurrent with partition in said condensate chamberwfor disthe iioW of steam' and condensate through said charging the condensate into said condensate tubes, a second hollow head secured centrally to discharge pipe. the inside face of said tube sheet and forming 10 a condensate chamber, a condensate pipe con- CHARLES O. LAVE'II. A10 

